Don't Write Off Japan

By

Barry Wain

Updated Feb. 14, 1997 12:01 a.m. ET

HONG KONG--Members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum send representatives to ministerial meetings typically led by their foreign ministry or, in a few cases, trade and commerce departments. Japan is the exception.

The Japanese team always has two leaders, with equal billing: The minister of foreign affairs and the minister of international trade and industry. Representing rival power centers in a powerful bureaucracy,...